Growing Broccoli

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S                    
      T                
    P P                

(Best months for growing Broccoli in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 45°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 14 - 20 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-16 weeks. Cut flowerhead off with a knife..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, oregano)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

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01 Oct 13, Robyn Crossley (Australia - temperate climate)
Once you pick the broccoli, does it grow another head, or do you just take the whole plant out, after first harvest.?
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16 Oct 13, Lyn (Australia - temperate climate)
No leave it in and it will grow more broccoli for you ;-)
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02 Oct 13, Steven (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Leave it alone & do not uproot as it will grow many smaller off-shoots like mini-heads.
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29 Sep 13, David Collins-white (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Planted brocoli in April with kale. Both have grown well here in Sydney. We have been eating the kale for a month. The brocoli has lots of leaves looks good, but no heads. Fertilised soil & have tried watering with diluted Epson salts about 2 weeks ago. What have I missed? Thanks for any advise. David
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02 Sep 13, Karan (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in the Perth hills and have started a container garden my broccoli has come on heaps, very healthy looking leaves (I used home compost and potting soil mix) the heads are growing but they are not big heads! How can i grow heads that are as big as what you see in the shops? Im sure I can see tiny florets turning into flowers, does that mean they are going to seed? Shall i fertilise more or eat them now as small as they are or wait until they get larger ? Thanks folks!
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10 Jan 14, Monty (Australia - temperate climate)
From what I understand, once you allow the brocolli to flower it will not produce any florets. There are different varieties of brocolli that grow best at different times of the year, so check to see that you have the right type in your garden. Brocolli need a fair amount of water and it's a good idea to fertilise once a month to keep them healthy and producing florets. I've also had problems with my brocolli bolting, so I've been reading up on solutions. It seems that it all boils down to choosing the right varieties for the time of year and making sure the soil is not too heavy.
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16 Aug 13, Adri (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I have a problem after harvesting, sometimes everything is fine, broccoli lasts in the fridge for a week or two. Other times they turn yellow overnight, and also there is a problem with smell. When they smell it is so bad you cant have it in the house you have to bury perfectly fresh green broccoli heads... there doesn't seem to be a pattern, how do I harvest my beautiful broccoli to always have a good result?
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16 Aug 13, Kristy (Australia - temperate climate)
Once the second set of leaves emerge you should be right to transplant.
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16 Aug 13, Kristy (Australia - temperate climate)
They should have germinated within 4 weeks. Make sure the seeds are fresh and use good quality soil or a seed raising mix. If its early in the season you can try starting the seeds off in a mini greenhouse type arrangement. Goodluck :)
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14 Aug 13, Cass (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How long does it usually take for seeds to sprout. I have sowed seeds 4 weeks ago and still they haven't sprouted - getting concerned. Maybe it was too early?
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GREEN CATERPILLARS; these are from the white cabbage butterflies. The best organic method to this problem is to make lightweight frames of chicken wire. The butterlies are too large to get through and land on the leaves to lay their eggs.

- Peter

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